Edo Political Violence: Governor Okpebholo Condemns Attack on ADC Members, Cites Internal Rift

 

​A wave of political tension has gripped Benin City following a violent assault on the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has officially condemned the incident, which occurred shortly after a high-profile visit from the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. While the opposition has labeled the event a targeted assassination attempt, the state government maintains that the violence is a tragic symptom of a deep-seated internal party rift within the ADC.

​Chaos in Benin: Gunmen Storm ADC Secretariat

​On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, what was intended to be a routine political gathering at the ADC secretariat on Ogbelaka Street turned into a scene of carnage. Gunmen reportedly arrived in an unmarked Sienna bus and on motorbikes, opening fire sporadically. The attackers destroyed furniture, canopies, and campaign banners, leaving several party members with varying degrees of injury.

​The violence did not end at the secretariat. The armed group allegedly trailed the political convoy to the residence of the ADC National Leader and former Edo Governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. Gunshots were fired at the gate, and several high-end vehicles belonging to dignitaries were riddled with bullets. At the time of the attack, Peter Obi, Olumide Akpata, and other top opposition figures were inside the building.

​Okpebholo Speaks: "An Escalation of Internal Conflict"

​In a personal statement released on Wednesday morning, Governor Monday Okpebholo expressed his sympathy for those injured but was firm in his assessment of the cause. According to the Governor, the attack was not a state-sponsored act of intimidation but rather an internal party dispute that had been allowed to spiral out of control.

​“As the Chief Security Officer of this state, I categorically condemn this violence. However, it is evident that this incident is an alarming escalation of internal party conflict that has gone excessively far,” Okpebholo stated.

​The Governor warned that he would not tolerate the "importation of thugs" from outside the state under the guise of political activity. He further suggested that the timing and nature of the attack might be a calculated effort by opposition elements to discredit Edo State and undermine its reputation for peace.

​The Opposition’s Stance: "Democracy is Under Siege"

​The ADC leadership and the "Obidient Movement" have countered the Governor's narrative. Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, described the event as a "successful assassination attempt" that failed only by the grace of God.

​The opposition points to a history of friction between the Governor and Peter Obi. In July 2025, Governor Okpebholo issued a directive stating that Obi must notify the state government before visiting, citing security concerns. The ADC argues that this latest violence is a fulfillment of previous threats, a claim the Edo State Government has dismissed as "false and malicious."

​Analyzing the "Internal Rift" Theory

​The Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, bolstered the Governor's claim by noting that a crisis within the ADC has been brewing for months. According to the government, security reports indicated a leadership struggle that had previously required police intervention.

​Key Factors Cited by the Government:

• ​Leadership Tensions: Alleged disagreements between factions loyal to different national leaders.
• ​Electoral Desperation: A lack of integrity among certain politicians seeking to gain an advantage through "self-inflicted" attacks.
• ​Security Coordination: The failure of the ADC to formally notify the state’s security apparatus of the high-profile gathering.

​Security Implications for Edo State

​Governor Okpebholo has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident, emphasizing that politics should be about performance and public trust, not violence. He assured residents that Benin City would not become a "battleground for political rivalry."

​The Commissioner of Police has been directed to identify the perpetrators of the Ogbelaka Street shooting. For the people of Edo, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the volatility that can precede major electoral cycles.

​Conclusion

​The attack on the ADC secretariat marks a dark day for Edo’s political landscape in 2026. Whether it was a product of an internal party explosion or an external assault on the opposition, the result is a heightened climate of fear. Governor Okpebholo's administration now faces the challenge of proving its "SHINE Agenda" can provide security for all, regardless of political affiliation, while the ADC struggles to maintain unity amidst the chaos.